Following the most recent announcements from the Government regarding social distancing and lockdown, the Boarding School Association (BSA) have released a summarised article with advice for parents, pupils, teachers and school staff. UNESCO reports that 168 countries around the world are still operating country-wide school closures and continue to remain cautious at this stage.

Schools Reopening:

The UK Government has released an England-focused document titled "Our Plan to Rebuild" which points towards future guidance being around the corner and aims to answer any frequently asked questions. The current advice given within this document is as follows: 

“The rate of infection remains too high to allow the reopening of schools for all pupils yet. However, it is important that vulnerable children (including children in need, those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and those assessed as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local authorities) and the children of critical workers are able to attend school, as is currently permitted.

"Approximately 2% of children are attending school in person, although all schools are working hard to deliver lessons remotely. But there is a large societal benefit from vulnerable children, or the children of critical workers, attending school: local authorities and schools should therefore urge more children who would benefit from attending in person to do so."

The document explains the beginning of Phase 2, which will begin from the 1st of June, aims to slowly reintroduce students back into schools, starting with priority ages.

“A phased return for early years settings and schools. Schools should prepare to begin to open for more children from 1 June. The Government expects children to be able to return to early years settings, and for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 to be back in school in smaller sizes, from this point. This aims to ensure that the youngest children, and those preparing for the transition to secondary school, have maximum time with their teachers"

Boarding School Advice: 

Within this document of advice, there is no mention of residential education or specific advice towards private or boarding schools in general. In order to stay up to date with individual school opening decisions and advice, it is advised to follow the BSA and ISC websites closely. The BSA has also created a checklist for reopening boarding schools, including risk assessments and facility checks. You can access this document here: https://boardingschoolsassociation.createsend1.com/t/i-l-xdltyit-l-n/

The article goes onto discuss worldwide boarding and other general FAQs that the public may have regarding this matter, which may be worth reading and considering if you are an affected parent. There is also regional advice given and a list of backdated articles from the BSA. Read the rest of the article here: https://www.boarding.org.uk/media/news/article/14677/Coronavirus-disease-COVID-19-guidance-update-as-of-11-05-20